711 A Narrow Escape From Death (1/2)

Fortunately, Gu Chaliang had adamantly rejected Feng Xiange's suggestion to split up for this expedition. The four of them moved as one, landing on the highest point of the peak, while the explosion tore up the area below. At the moment it was triggered, the four of them had already launched themselves into the air, narrowly escaping the direct impact of the explosion. If it was not for that, these four would have perished in the blink of an eye and walked the roads to the underworld as one, no matter how deep their cultivation base nor how good their abilities were.

Although they were quick to respond by avoiding a direct hit from the explosion and enduring the worst of this horrendous blow, they eventually sustained terrible injuries from the waves of powerful aftershocks that came after that. The Big Four Experts - who had not even fought hand to hand with their enemies yet - had their strengths thoroughly depleted, and their conditions completely worn.

An explosion of such magnitude - one that could tear an entire mountain down in seconds - was enough to annihilate even the strongest individuals in the world!

It was apparent that powerhouses like Ling Xiaozui and Dugu Chou were no exception!

After a while, the vibrations of the impact from the core of the explosion came to a halt, yet the rumblings persisted in continuous waves. The peaks still quivered from the aftershocks that ripped through them, collapsing in bits and pieces from time to time.

The snow that lay accumulated atop the peaks had always existed beyond the clouds in an unchanging manner, yet, with a shudder, they slid down, causing an unlikely avalanche!

It spilled and spread over the hills and dales, filling in the streams and flattening the entire landscape.

Besides a series of rumbles, no other sound could be heard in the space between the skies and the ground.

After a long, long time, the realm began to gradually calm after being plagued by chaos, yet the peaks within the perimeter still quivered incessantly from the radiation.

The vast field of blinding whiteness split open abruptly as a green-garbed silhouette leaped out of nowhere.

It was...Ling Xiaozui!

Dubbed as the unrivaled expert, Ling Xiaozui truly lived up to the name. He could still maintain his cool in the face of a horrendous situation such as this, seizing the opportunity to promptly get out of the mess - he was truly holding up to his title.

However, his current condition did not seem too promising, and his outlook seemed less positive.

Walking with a limp, his green robes were splattered with traces of blood. His chest was marred with a patch of dark red, which was actually his own blood that oozed from the pressure of his gestures and movements. His face was black and blue, his hair a mess; his eyes were filled with rage.

He did not dare to move any slower, jumping into action the moment he emerged as he quickly surveyed his surroundings. Only after ensuring that it was safe did he dare take a deep breath and start to activate his base. In half a beat, he spat out a spittle of bad blood as his face gradually reverted to a normal state. Panting harshly, he emitted a deep, long sigh.

His remaining strength, compared to his usual condition, was insignificantly minuscule.

In other words, this was the most precarious moment of Ling Xiaozui's entire life.

Ling Xiaozui strived to calm his state of mind and resumed his search for the traces of his three other companions. Did they even stand a chance of survival against an impact of such magnitude from this sudden explosion?

Right at that moment, the snow-covered ground rustled with movement. Dugu Chou popped his head up, followed swiftly by his body as he propelled himself up to the surface.

Dugu Chou's condition was none too different from Ling Xiaozui. He was also panting profusely, coughing up blood from the effort. He threw his head back in a sudden movement and let out a moan of agony, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, his gaze was directed towards Ling Xiaozui's direction.

”How are you feeling now? Where are the other two?”

”Couldn't seem to die with one hit. Both of them could be buried underneath, but we have to recuperate before even thinking to save or search for them.” Ling Xiaozui shook his head, panting profusely as he replied.

Ling Xiaozui already noticed that Dugu Chou was in a state no better than his own. Their cultivation base had dropped tremendously - if they were to start their search immediately, they might just drop dead from exhaustion before locating their comrades.